Indication device

Abstract

To provide a display device that makes it easy for mobile users to view images. [Solution] The display device comprises a display unit for displaying images, a mechanism for rotating the display unit, a detection unit for detecting the user's position, and a control unit that sets a target position based on the user's position, sets a rotation speed based on the difference between the front position of the display unit and the target position, and causes the mechanism to rotate the display unit at the rotation speed to bring the front position closer to the target position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a television device. In the television device, one target user is registered from a plurality of users who view video displayed on a display. The display main body rotates according to the movement of the target user and faces the target user directly (paragraphs 0023 and 0029).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the television device disclosed in Patent Document 1, even when the target user moves only slightly due to a change in posture or the like, the display main body rotates according to the movement of the target user. For this reason, the video displayed on the display main body shakes, and it becomes difficult for the target user to view the scene they want to see. Further, when the target user moves significantly, there is a possibility that the display main body rotates after the movement of the target user. For this reason, there is a possibility that the target user cannot view the scene they want to see.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in view of this problem. One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide, for example, a display device that can facilitate a moving user to view video.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A display device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a display unit for displaying an image, a mechanism for rotating the display unit, a detection unit for detecting the position of a user, and a control unit that sets a target position based on the position of the user, sets a rotation speed based on the difference between the front position of the display unit and the target position, and causes the mechanism to rotate the display unit at the rotation speed to bring the front position closer to the target position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating the display device of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic top view illustrating a display device of the first embodiment and multiple users viewing the image displayed on the display device. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of the display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This graph shows the relationship between the difference θ between the user's position detected by the detection unit provided in the display device of the first embodiment and the front position of the display unit provided in the display device, and the rotation speed ω set by the control unit provided in the display device. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the processing flow performed by the display device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the image displayed on the display unit of the display device in the first embodiment and the first modified example of the first embodiment when the display unit is not rotating. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates an image displayed on the display unit of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates an image displayed on the display unit of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast. [Figure 9] This figure illustrates an image displayed on the display unit of a first modified example of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating an image displayed on a display unit provided in a display device according to a first modification of a first embodiment, where the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is high. [Figure 11] This is a graph showing the relationship between the difference θ between the position of a user detected by a detection unit provided in a display device according to a second embodiment and the front position of a display unit provided in the display device, and the rotation speed ω set by a control unit provided in the display device. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 17A] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 17B] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 18A] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 18B] This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by a display device according to a ninth embodiment. Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0009] 1 First Embodiment 1.1 Appearance of Display Device FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the display device according to the first embodiment and a plurality of users viewing the video displayed on the display device.

[0010] The display device 1 according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a television receiver. For this reason, the display device 1 receives broadcast waves, displays a video corresponding to the received broadcast waves, and outputs audio corresponding to the received broadcast waves. The display device 1 may be a display device other than a television receiver. For example, the display device 1 may be a monitor for a personal computer (PC), an all-in-one PC, a digital signage, or the like.

[0011] The display device 1 is installed such that the height direction DH of the display device 1 is in the vertical direction, and the width direction DW and the depth direction DD of the display device 1 are in the horizontal direction.

[0012] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device 1 includes a main body 101 and a stand .

[0013] The main body 101 displays a video. The main body 101 has a rectangular plate shape. For this reason, the main body 101 has a front surface 101a and a rear surface 101b. The front surface 101a and the rear surface 101b face the front and the rear in the depth direction DD of the display device 1, respectively. The main body 101 displays a video on the front surface 101a. The main body 101 may have a shape other than a rectangular plate shape.

[0014] The stand 102 is placed on a placement surface. The stand 102 supports the main body 101. A support other than the stand 102 may support the main body 101. For example, an arm, a wall mounting bracket, or the like may support the main body 101. The stand 102 swivels the main body 101. In addition to or instead of the stand 102 swiveling the main body 101, the main body 101 may be tilted.

[0015] 1.2 Inside the display device Figure 3 is a block diagram of the display device according to the first embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the display device 1 comprises a display unit 111, a mechanism 112, a detection unit 113, and a control unit 114. The display unit 111, the detection unit 113, and the control unit 114 are built into the main body 101. The mechanism 112 is built into the stand 102. The detection unit 113 and the control unit 114 may also be built into the stand 102. The mechanism 112 may also be built into the main body 101.

[0017] The display unit 111 displays an image. The display unit 111 has a display surface 111a. The display surface 111a is included in the front surface 101a. The display unit 111 displays an image on the display surface 111a. The display unit 111 is a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, etc.

[0018] The mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111. The mechanism 112 rotates the main body 101 about a rotation axis that extends in the height direction DH of the display device 1. As a result, the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111, which is built into the main body 101, about the rotation axis, causing the display unit 111 to swivel. When the stand 102 tilts the main body 101, the mechanism 112 rotates the main body 101 about a rotation axis that extends in the width direction DW of the display device 1. As a result, the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111, which is built into the main body 101, about the rotation axis, causing the display unit 111 to tilt.

[0019] The detection unit 113 detects the position P of the user U who is viewing the displayed video.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the detection unit 113 includes a camera 121 and an image processing unit 122.

[0021] Camera 121 captures images within its field of view and generates video data. The field of view of camera 121 includes the range in which the image displayed on the display surface 111a of the display unit 111 can be viewed. The direction of the center of the field of view of camera 121 coincides with the direction in which the center of the display surface 111a faces.

[0022] The image processing unit 122 detects the user U's position P through image processing. In doing so, the image processing unit 122 detects the human figure in the video represented by the generated video data and determines the user U's position P based on the position of the detected human figure within the video. The detection unit 113 may also detect the user U's position P using techniques other than image processing. The image processing unit 122 may be composed of a dedicated electronic circuit or a microcontroller equipped with a processor and memory.

[0023] The control unit 114 causes the display unit 111 to display an image.

[0024] The control unit 114 sets a target position TP based on the detected user U's position P, sets a rotation speed ω based on the difference θ between the front position FP of the display unit 111 and the set target position TP, and instructs the mechanism 112 to rotate the display unit 111 at the set rotation speed ω to bring the front position FP closer to the target position TP. This makes it possible to set the rotation speed ω of the display unit 111 to a rotation speed suitable for the difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP when rotating the display unit 111 to bring the front position FP closer to the target position TP.

[0025] The user U's position P is represented by the direction from the center of the display surface 111a of the display unit 111 toward the user U. The target position TP is represented by the target direction. The front position FP of the display unit 111 is represented by the direction the center of the display surface 111a faces. Therefore, the difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP is represented by the angle between the direction the center of the display surface 111a faces and the target direction. The user U's position P may be represented by an index of a position other than the direction from the center of the display surface 111a toward the user U. The target position TP may be represented by an index of a position other than the target direction. The front position FP may be represented by an index of a position other than the direction the center of the display surface 111a faces. The difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP may be represented by an index of the difference in position other than the angle between the direction the center of the display surface 111a faces and the target direction.

[0026] The user U's position P, target position TP, and front position FP are positions in the swivel direction, the difference θ is the angle in the swivel direction, and the mechanism 112 swivels the display unit 111 to bring the front position FP closer to the target position TP. The user U's position P, target position TP, and front position FP may also be positions in the tilt direction, the difference θ may be the angle in the tilt direction, and the mechanism 112 may tilt the display unit 111 to bring the front position FP closer to the target position TP.

[0027] The control unit 114 is comprised of a microcontroller equipped with a processor and memory. The processor executes a program stored in memory to cause the microcontroller to operate as the control unit 114.

[0028] 1.3 Setting the rotation speed Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the difference θ between the user's position detected by the detection unit in the display device of the first embodiment and the frontal position of the display unit in the display device, and the rotation speed ω set by the control unit in the display device. In the graph of Figure 4, the difference θ is plotted on the horizontal axis and the rotation speed ω is plotted on the vertical axis.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the rotation speed ω set by the control unit 114 is 0 when the difference θ between the front position FP of the display unit 111 and the target position TP is less than the threshold of ±2.5°, and greater than 0 when the difference θ is greater than the threshold of ±2.5°. As a result, if the user U moves only a small amount due to a change in posture, etc., the mechanism 112 does not rotate the display unit 111, but if the user U moves a large amount, the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111. This makes it possible to suppress the shaking of the image displayed on the display unit 111 when the user U moves only a small amount due to a change in posture, etc., and when the user U moves a large amount, it is possible to bring the front position FP of the display unit 111 closer to the target position TP, making it easier for the user U to view the image.

[0030] The rotation speed ω set by the control unit 114 increases as the difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP of the display unit 111 increases, provided that the difference θ is greater than the threshold of ±2.5°. As a result, the greater the user U's movement, the faster the rotation speed ω becomes when bringing the front position FP closer to the target position TP. This suppresses the increase in the time required to bring the front position FP closer to the target position TP and make it easier for the user U to view the image, especially when the user U moves significantly.

[0031] The rotational speed ω set by the control unit 114 is the upper limit rotational speed ω U The following limitations apply. Therefore, the difference θ between the front position FP of the display unit 111 and the target position TP becomes large, and the rotation speed ω becomes the upper limit rotation speed ω U After reaching this point, even if the difference θ becomes even larger, the rotational speed ω will not exceed the upper limit of rotational speed ω. U This is maintained. This prevents the display unit 111 from being rotated at an extremely fast rotation speed ω. This enhances the safety of the display device 1.

[0032] 1.4 Processing Flow Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the first embodiment.

[0033] The display device 1 performs steps S101 to S107 shown in Figure 5.

[0034] In step S101, camera 121 captures images within its field of view and generates video data.

[0035] In the subsequent step S102, the image processing unit 122 detects human figures in the video represented by the generated video data and detects the position P of user U based on the video position of the detected human figures. If the image processing unit 122 detects multiple human figures, it detects the positions P of multiple users U based on the video positions of the multiple detected human figures. If the image processing unit 122 detects only one human figure, it detects the position P of one user U based on the video position of the single detected human figure.

[0036] In the following step S103, the control unit 114 determines whether or not multiple users U have been detected by the image processing unit 122. If the control unit 114 determines that multiple users U have been detected, it executes steps S104 and S106 in order. If the control unit 114 determines that multiple users U have not been detected, that is, that only one user U has been detected, it executes steps S105 and S106 in order.

[0037] In step S104, as shown in Figure 2, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to the representative position RP of the positions P of the multiple detected users U. The representative position RP is the average position represented by the average value of the values ​​representing the positions P of the multiple users U. The representative position RP may be a position other than the average position. For example, the representative position RP may be the central position represented by the median value of the values ​​representing the positions P of the multiple users U.

[0038] In step S105, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to the position P of one detected user U.

[0039] In step S106, the control unit 114 sets the rotation speed ω based on the difference θ between the front position FP of the display unit 111 and the target position TP.

[0040] In the subsequent step S107, the control unit 114 instructs the mechanism 112 to rotate the display unit 111 at a set rotation speed ω so that the front position FP of the display unit 111 matches the target position TP. That is, the control unit 114 instructs the mechanism 112 to make the difference θ between the front position FT and the target position TP zero. Also, while the mechanism 112 is rotating the display unit 111, the control unit 114 causes the image displayed on the display unit 111 to show that the display unit 111 is rotating and to show a change in the rotation speed ω.

[0041] 1.5 Changes in the image during rotation Figure 6 illustrates the image displayed on the display unit of the first embodiment when the display unit is not rotating. Figure 7 illustrates the image displayed on the display unit of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. Figure 8 illustrates the image displayed on the display unit of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 6, the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 does not include an icon containing the text "Swiveling" when the display unit 111 is not rotating. As illustrated in Figure 7, the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 includes an icon 141 containing the blue text "Swiveling" when the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. As illustrated in Figure 8, the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 includes an icon 142 containing the red text "Swiveling" when the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast. Therefore, a change in the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 to include the icon 141 indicates that the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. A change in the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 to include the icon 142 indicates that the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast. The fact that the text "Swiveling" included in icon 142 is red helps to make user U aware that it is dangerous to collide with the display unit 111.

[0043] Figure 6 is an example of the image displayed on the display unit of the first modified example of the first embodiment when the display unit is not rotating. Figure 9 is an example of the image displayed on the display unit of the first modified example of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. Figure 10 is an example of the image displayed on the display unit of the first modified example of the first embodiment when the display unit is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast.

[0044] In the first modified example, as illustrated in Figure 6, the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 does not include an outer frame when the display unit 111 is not rotating. As illustrated in Figure 9, the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 includes a blue outer frame 143 when the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. As illustrated in Figure 10, the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 includes a red outer frame 144 when the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast. Therefore, a change in the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 to include a blue outer frame 143 indicates that the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is slow. A change in the image 131 displayed on the display unit 111 to include a red outer frame 144 indicates that the display unit 111 is rotating and the rotation speed ω is fast. The fact that the outer frame 144 is red helps to make the user aware that it is dangerous to bump into the display unit 111.

[0045] 2. Second Embodiment The following describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment is used in the second embodiment.

[0046] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the difference θ between the user's position detected by the detection unit in the display device of the second embodiment and the front position of the display unit in the display device, and the rotation speed ω set by the control unit in the display device. In the graph of Figure 11, the difference θ is plotted on the horizontal axis and the rotation speed ω is plotted on the vertical axis.

[0047] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, the rotational speed ω set by the control unit 114 is such that the rotational speed ω is the lower limit rotational speed ω L Before increasing in speed, the rotation speed becomes 0 when the difference θ between the front position FP of the display unit 111 and the target position TP is less than the threshold of ±2.5°, and greater than 0 when the difference θ is greater than the threshold of ±2.5°, and the speed increases as the difference θ increases. Lower limit rotation speed ω L It is greater than 0.

[0048] However, the rotational speed ω is the lower limit of rotational speed ω L After the speed increases, the lower limit rotation speed ω will remain until the difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP of the display unit 111 returns to 0. L The lower limit rotation speed ω is limited to the above, and only after the difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP of the display unit 111 returns to 0. L The limitations described above are no longer applied. This makes it possible to suppress the shaking of the image displayed on the display unit 111 when the user U moves only slightly due to a change in posture, etc., and to make it easier for the user U to view the image by bringing the front position FP closer to the target position TP when the user U moves significantly. In addition, it is possible to suppress the difference θ from becoming fixed at the threshold of ±2.5° after the user U has moved significantly.

[0049] 3. Third Embodiment The following describes the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment is employed in the third embodiment.

[0050] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the third embodiment.

[0051] In the third embodiment, the display device 1 performs steps S132 and S134 shown in Figure 12, respectively, instead of steps S102 and S104 shown in Figure 5.

[0052] In step S132, the image processing unit 122 detects human figures in the video represented by the generated video data and detects the position P and velocity of user U based on the video position of the detected human figures. If the image processing unit 122 detects multiple human figures, it detects the position P and velocity of multiple users U based on the video positions of the multiple detected human figures. If the image processing unit 122 detects only one human figure, it detects the position P and velocity of one user U based on the video position of the single detected human figure.

[0053] In step S134, the control unit 114 identifies the slowest speed among the speeds of the multiple detected users U, designates the user with the slowest speed as the target user, and sets the target position TP based on the target user's position. For example, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to the target user's position.

[0054] The user with the slowest speed is most likely to be viewing the video displayed on the display unit 111. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to make it easier for users who are most likely to be viewing the video displayed on the display unit 111 to view that video.

[0055] 4. Fourth Embodiment The following describes the differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the fourth embodiment employs the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment.

[0056] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the fourth embodiment.

[0057] In the fourth embodiment, the display device 1 performs step S144 shown in Figure 13 instead of step S104 shown in Figure 5.

[0058] In step S144, the control unit 114 acquires the content of the video displayed on the display unit 111, selects a target user from a group of users based on the acquired content, and sets a target position TP based on the position of the selected target user. For example, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to the position of the selected target user. The selected target user is a user who is highly likely to want to watch the video containing the acquired content. For example, if the acquired content is news, the selected target user is an adult user, and if the acquired content is animation, the selected target user is a child user. The control unit 114 acquires the content of the video from the electronic program guide (EPG). The control unit 114 may also acquire the content of the video from information other than the EPG. For example, the control unit 114 may acquire the content of the video from the video analysis results, etc.

[0059] According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to make it easier for users who are likely to want to see the video displayed on the display unit 111 to view the video.

[0060] 5. Fifth Embodiment The differences between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained below. For aspects not explained, the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment will be used in the fifth embodiment.

[0061] In the fifth embodiment, a priority is pre-assigned to each of the two or more users U. For example, priority 1, priority 2, etc. are pre-assigned to users A, B, ..., respectively. The control unit 114 maintains the pre-assigned priority for each of the two or more users U.

[0062] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the fifth embodiment.

[0063] In the fifth embodiment, the display device 1 performs step S154 shown in Figure 14 instead of step S104 shown in Figure 5.

[0064] In step S154, the control unit 114 identifies multiple users U from each other, obtains the priority of the identified users U, selects a target user from the users U based on the obtained priority, and sets a target position TP based on the location of the selected target user. For example, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to the location of the selected target user. The selected target user is the user with the highest priority.

[0065] According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to make it easier for users with a high priority setting to view the video displayed on the display unit 111.

[0066] 6. Sixth Embodiment The following describes the differences between the sixth embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the sixth embodiment employs the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment.

[0067] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the sixth embodiment.

[0068] In the sixth embodiment, the display device 1 performs steps S168 and S169 shown in Figure 15 after step S106 and before step S107.

[0069] In step S168, the control unit 114 determines whether the rotation of the mechanism 112 by the time the program provided by the image displayed on the display unit 111 begins, assuming the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111 at the rotation speed ω set in step S106. If the control unit 114 determines that the rotation will be completed by that time, it executes step S107. If the control unit 114 determines that the rotation will not be completed by that time, it executes steps S169 and S107 in sequence.

[0070] In step S169, the control unit 114 resets the rotation speed ω based on the timing at which the program provided by the video displayed on the display unit 111 begins. The control unit 114 resets the rotation speed ω so that when the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111 at the reset rotation speed ω, the rotation is completed by that timing so that the front position FP of the display unit 111 coincides with the target position TP. For this reason, the rotation speed ω reset in step S169 is faster than the rotation speed ω set in step S106. Also, the rotation speed ω reset in step S169 becomes faster as the timing approaches. For example, the rotation speed ω reset when the timing is 10 seconds away will be faster than the rotation speed ω reset when the timing is 1 minute away.

[0071] In steps S168 and S169, if the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111 at the rotation speed ω set in step S106 and the rotation is completed by the time the program starts, the rotation speed ω set in step S106 is maintained. On the other hand, if the mechanism 112 rotates the display unit 111 at the rotation speed ω set in step S106 and the rotation is not completed by that time, the rotation speed ω is switched from the rotation speed ω set in step S106 to a faster rotation speed ω.

[0072] According to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to make it easier for user U to view the video displayed on the display unit 111 before the program provided by the video starts, thereby preventing the user from missing the start of the program.

[0073] 7 Seventh Embodiment The following describes the differences between the seventh embodiment and the first embodiment. For aspects not described, the seventh embodiment employs the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment.

[0074] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the seventh embodiment.

[0075] In the seventh embodiment, the display device 1 performs step S172 shown in Figure 16 instead of step S102 shown in Figure 5, and performs steps S174a to S174c shown in Figure 16 instead of step S104 shown in Figure 5.

[0076] In step S172, the image processing unit 122 detects the image of a person looking at the display unit 111 and detects the position P of the user U looking at the display unit 111 based on the position of the detected person image in the video. If the image processing unit 122 detects multiple person images, it detects the positions P of multiple users U based on the positions of the detected multiple person images in the video. If the image processing unit 122 detects only one person image, it detects the position P of one user U based on the position of the detected one person image in the video.

[0077] In step S174a, the control unit 114 determines whether the detected group of users U includes a target user that has already been selected. If the control unit 114 determines that the group of users U includes a target user that has already been selected, it sequentially executes steps S174b and S106. If the control unit 114 determines that the group of users U does not include a target user that has already been selected, it sequentially executes steps S174c and S106.

[0078] In step S174b, the control unit 114 selects the already selected target user as the target user again, and sets the target position TP to the position of the selected target user.

[0079] In step S174c, the control unit 114 selects a new target user from among multiple users U, and sets the target position TP to the position of the newly selected target user.

[0080] According to steps S172 and S174a to S174c, the detection unit 113 detects whether the first user, who has already been selected as a target user, and a second user other than the first user are looking at the display unit 111. The control unit 114 continues to consider the first user as a target user even if the detection unit 113 detects that the second user is looking at the display unit 111 while the first user is still a target user. The second user becomes a target user only after the detection unit 113 has stopped detecting that the first user is looking at the display unit 111.

[0081] According to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to suppress the frequent changes in target users and the frequent changes in target location TP.

[0082] 8. Eighth Embodiment The differences between the eighth embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained below. For aspects not explained, the eighth embodiment employs the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment.

[0083] Figures 17A and 17B are flowcharts showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the eighth embodiment.

[0084] In the eighth embodiment, the display device 1 performs steps S184a to S184e shown in Figures 17A and 17B, instead of step S104 shown in Figure 5.

[0085] In step S184a, the control unit 114 determines whether the detected multiple users U include a target user that has already been selected. Based on the video data, the control unit 114 determines whether the target user that has already been selected is within the field of view of the camera 121. If the control unit 114 determines that the target user that has already been selected is within the field of view, it executes steps S184b and S106 in order. If the control unit 114 determines that the target user that has already been selected is not within the field of view, it executes step S184c.

[0086] In step S184b, the control unit 114 continues to select the already selected target user as the target user and sets the target position TP based on the location of the selected target user. For example, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to the location of the selected target user.

[0087] In step S184c, the control unit 114 instructs the mechanism 112 to rotate the display unit 111 and initialize the front position FP of the display unit 111. The control unit 114 may also wait a certain amount of time after determining that the already selected target user is not within the field of view of the camera 121 before instructing the mechanism 112 to rotate the display unit 111 and initialize the front position FP of the display unit 111. This prevents the front position FP of the display unit 111 from being initialized if the already selected target user goes to the toilet, etc. When the front position FP of the display unit 111 is initialized, the front position of the display unit 111 becomes the front direction of the display device 1.

[0088] In the following step S184d, the control unit 114 determines whether a set time has elapsed since the front position FP of the display unit 111 was initialized. If the control unit 114 determines that the set time has elapsed, it sequentially executes steps S184e and S106. If the control unit 114 determines that the set time has not elapsed, it executes step S184d.

[0089] In step S184e, the same processing as that performed in steps S101 to S105 shown in Figure 5 is carried out. As a result, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP.

[0090] Steps S184d and S184e ensure that the front position FP of the display unit 111 remains initialized until a set time has elapsed since the front position FP of the display unit 111 was initialized. In synchronization with the elapsed time since the front position FP of the display unit 111 was initialized, the display unit 111 rotates to make it easier for a newly selected target user to view the image displayed on the display unit 111.

[0091] According to the eighth embodiment, it is possible to suppress the continuation of a state in which it is easy for a user who has stopped looking at the video displayed on the display unit 111 to view the video.

[0092] 9. Ninth Embodiment The differences between the ninth embodiment and the first embodiment will be explained below. For aspects not explained, the ninth embodiment employs the same configuration as that used in the first embodiment.

[0093] Figures 18A and 18B are flowcharts showing the processing flow performed by the display device of the ninth embodiment.

[0094] In the ninth embodiment, the display device 1 performs steps S194a to S194c shown in Figure 18A instead of step S104 shown in Figure 5, and performs steps S196a to S196c shown in Figure 18B instead of step S106 shown in Figure 5.

[0095] In step S194a, the control unit 114 determines whether the video displayed on the display unit 111 includes a portion that conveys emergency information. If the control unit 114 determines that the video includes such a portion, it sequentially executes steps S194b and S196a. If the control unit 114 determines that the video does not include such a portion, it sequentially executes steps S194c and S196a. Such a portion is a caption or similar.

[0096] In step S194b, the control unit 114 sets the target position TP to a position where all of the detected users U can easily see the video displayed on the display unit 111.

[0097] In step S194c, the control unit 114 selects one user from the multiple detected users U, and sets the target position TP to the position of the selected user.

[0098] In step S196a, similar to step S194a, the control unit 114 determines whether the image displayed on the display unit 111 includes a portion that conveys emergency information. If the control unit 114 determines that the image includes such a portion, it sequentially executes steps S196b and S107. If the control unit 114 determines that the image does not include such a portion, it sequentially executes steps S196c and S107.

[0099] In step S196b, the control unit 114 sets the rotation speed ω to a faster rotation speed than the standard rotation speed which is set based on the difference θ between the front position FP and the target position TP of the display unit 111.

[0100] In step S196c, the control unit 114 sets the rotation speed ω to a standard rotation speed based on the difference θ between the front position of the display unit 111 and the target position.

[0101] The faster rotational speed ω in step S196b is faster than the standard rotational speed ω in step S196c.

[0102] According to the ninth embodiment, if the image displayed on the display unit 111 includes a portion that conveys emergency information, the front position FP of the display unit 111 can be positioned so that all of the detected users U can easily see the image. Furthermore, if the image includes such a portion, the time it takes for the image to become easily viewable can be shortened. This helps to prevent multiple users U from missing emergency information.

[0103] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be replaced with configurations that are substantially the same as those shown in the embodiments, configurations that produce the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 1 Display device 101 Main Unit 101a Front 101b Rear 102 Stands 111 Display section 111a Display surface 112 Mechanism 113 Detection unit 114 Control Unit 121 Camera 122 Image Processing Unit 131 Video 141,142 icons 143,144 Outer frame U users P position FP front position TP target position RP representative position

Claims

1. A display unit that displays images, A mechanism for rotating the display unit, A detection unit that detects the user's location, A control unit sets a target position based on the user's position, sets a rotation speed based on the difference between the front position of the display unit and the target position, and rotates the display unit at the rotation speed to bring the front position closer to the target position. A display device equipped with the following features.

2. Setting the target position based on the user's position includes setting the target position to the user's position. The display device according to claim 1.

3. Setting the rotational speed based on the difference includes setting the rotational speed to 0 when the difference is less than a threshold, and increasing the rotational speed as the difference increases when the difference is greater than the threshold. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Setting the rotational speed based on the aforementioned difference includes limiting the rotational speed to an upper limit rotational speed or less. The display device according to claim 3.

5. Setting the rotational speed based on the aforementioned difference includes limiting the rotational speed to above the lower limit rotational speed after it has become faster than the lower limit rotational speed which is greater than zero. The display device according to claim 3.

6. The aforementioned detection unit detects the speed of multiple users, The control unit identifies the slowest speed among the speeds of the multiple users and assigns that user to the user with the slowest speed. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The detection unit detects the locations of multiple users, Setting the target position based on the user's position includes making the target position a representative position of the multiple user positions. The display device according to claim 1.

8. The control unit acquires the content of the video and selects a user from a group of users based on the content. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The control unit identifies multiple users from each other, obtains the priority of the multiple users, and selects a user from the multiple users based on the priority of the multiple users. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The control unit sets the rotation speed based on the timing at which the program provided by the video starts. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The detection unit detects whether the first user and the second user are looking at the display unit. The control unit, when the detection unit detects that the first user is looking at the display unit, and the detection unit begins to detect that the second user is looking at the display unit, sets the user to the first user. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The detection unit includes a camera that captures images within the field of view and generates video data. The control unit determines whether the user is within the field of view based on the video data, and if it determines that the user is not within the field of view, it causes the mechanism to rotate the display unit to initialize the front position. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The control unit determines whether the video contains a portion that indicates emergency information, and if it determines that the video contains such a portion, it increases the rotation speed. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

14. The control unit causes the mechanism to rotate the display unit, and while the control unit is rotating the display unit, it causes a change in the image to indicate that the display unit is rotating. The display device according to claim 1 or 2.

15. The aforementioned change indicates the rotational speed. The display device according to claim 14.

Images